Ocean energy system and method

ABSTRACT

A wave energy system and method are provided that have a main body that floats on the surface of the ocean and generates energy due to the motion of the crests and troughs of the ocean.

PRIORITY CLAIMS/RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 USC 120 and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/942,600filed on Nov. 19. 2007 and entitled “Ocean Energy System and Method”,the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The system and method relate generally to energy generation and inparticular to a system and method for generating energy from wavemotion.

BACKGROUND

Recently, systems that allow the generation of energy from the ocean andits motion are getting more attention because the ocean can be used togenerate energy without any environmental issues, without reducing anynatural resource and in a completely clean manner. To date, the systemsthat have been developed to generate energy from the ocean and wavemotion include tapered channel systems that operate by funnelingincoming waves into shoreline reservoirs that raise the water levelabove sea level so that the water can then run down through a turbineand generate energy. An example of a tapered channel system isOceanNor's Tap Chan device. Another wave energy system is a float systemthat consists of buoys sitting on the surface of the ocean and, as thewave rises and falls, the relative motion between the float and theocean floor drives hydraulic pumps or pistons which is then used todrive a turbine. An example of a float system is the Sea Power andAssociates Wave Rider system. Another wave energy system is anoscillating water column systems that are fixed generating devices inwhich waves enter the column and force air past a turbine and then, asthe wave retreats, the air pressure drops that causes the turbine toturn and generate energy. Examples of the oscillating water columnsystem are the WaveGen Limpet system and the Energetech's Dessiss-Auldturbine. Another wave energy system is an underwater turbine system thatcaptures the movement of the ocean's currents and uses this energy todrive slow-moving blades that is turn power a generator. An example ofthe underwater turbine system is Blue Energy's Davis Hydro Turbine.

None of the conventional system has proven to be practical is long termuse due to the complexity of the construction, the likelihood of failureand costs and thus it is desirable to provide a wave energy system andmethod that overcomes the limitations of these systems and it is to thisend that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wave energy device;

FIG. 2 illustrates a wave energy system having one or more of the waveenergy devices shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method for generating energy from wave motion usingthe wave energy device;

FIG. 4 illustrates an upper portion of the embodiment of the wave energydevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the embodiment of the wave energydevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates more details of the float portion of the embodimentof the wave energy device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates more details of the power collar and keyrace of theembodiment of the wave energy device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates more details of the float of the embodiment of thewave energy device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the embodiment of the wave energydevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 illustrates the wave energy device during a wave crestcorresponding to an upstroke of the wave energy device;

FIG. 11 illustrates the wave energy device during a wave troughcorresponding to a downstroke of the wave energy device;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are a side cut-away view and a top view, respectively,of another embodiment of a float that can be used with the wave energydevice; and

FIG. 12C is an enlarged side view and top view superimposed on eachother of another embodiment of a float that can be used with the waveenergy device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE EMBODIMENTS

The device and method is particularly applicable to a wave energy deviceand system that uses electric generators and it is in this context thatthe device and method will be described. It will be appreciated,however, that the device and method has greater utility since it can beused with other energy generators, other implementations and othermaterials that those illustrated and described below and the device andmethod are not limited to the particular embodiments and implementationsdescribed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a wave energy device 20 thatincludes a piling 22 (a mono pile) that has a sharpened bottom portion24 so that the piling 22 can be pile driven into the floor of a body ofwater with wave activity, such as an ocean or other salt or brackishwater body or a fresh water body of water. In one embodiment, the pilingmay have a circular cross section but the wave energy device may use apiling having various cross-sections and the wave energy device is notlimited to any particular shape or cross-section of the piling. Thepiling may be hollow (a pipe) or it may be solid or filling in with amaterial. In one embodiment, the bottom portion of the piling may alsohave an interface 24, such as a set of teeth or added flutes, so thatthe piling can be rotated which causes either the added flutes or theteeth to dig into the floor of the body of water and thus screw thepiling into the floor of the body to water (and set the piling) toprovide a stable structure for the rest of the wave energy device. Theset of teeth 24 allow the piling to be quickly and securely deployedwithout the stress of “pounding” the piling into place as withconventional technology. For example, the set of teeth may be a set ofsaw teeth. The piling 22 of the wave energy device 20 may have severalconfigurations depending on various geological conditions into which thepilings will be set. One type of piling may be used to cut or breakstone while another configuration may be used for sand or mud will screwitself into the soil. In one implementation of the piling, the piling isa tube in which the leading edge 24 is fitted with cutters much like a“hole saw” and the trailing edge is fitted with a locking mechanism thatattaches to a large power driven ratcheting tool. The cutting edge ofthe piling's teeth are off set to add clearance to the sidewalls so thesoil does not create excessive friction on the piling as it is rotatedinto place. In an exemplary implementation, the piling 22 may beapproximately 6′ in diameter with a wall thickness of approximately 2″of steel, but these dimensions could change depending on the structuraland/or environmental loads the component is engineered to accommodate.The length of the piling 22 will depend on the depth of the water of thebody of water, the depth of secured mounting in the geology, the heightof maximum tide for the particular body of water, and/or the height ofthe decks 50. For example, in 60 feet of water, the piling 22 may beapproximate 200 feet in length. The piling 22 may be made of an alloythat should be able to withstand the marine environment and resistelectrolytic deterioration. In addition, the buoyancy of the piling 22may need to be canceled and the structural integrity strengthenedperhaps by back filling the piling with concrete &/or rebar to waterlevel. In another embodiment, the piling 22 may be set by hydraulic (orpneumatic) pressure/jets on the cutting edge, to cut clearance into thestrata. It may also be possible to use the piling 22 as a water (orpneumatic) jet to accomplish deployment also has merit.

The wave energy device 20 may further comprise a float structure 26,mounted around the piling so that the float structure can move up anddown the piling as wave crests and troughs pass the wave energy device.As the float structure moves up and down the piling, one or more drivestructures 28, such as a drive shaft in one embodiment that moves up anddown as the flow moves up and down, transfer the movement of the floatto one or more energy generators 30 (via one or more coupling mechanisms32) that convert the motion of the float into a form of energy, such aselectrical energy is one embodiment. The float may be made on astructural frame capable of supporting itself and lifting a mass andassembly, but it may also have to be light enough to minimize thenegative effects its weight will have on the lifting action. The floatmay have a plurality of different shapes. In one implementation, thefloat structure 26 may be a torus shaped float being made of moldedfiberglass with structural bulkheads installed (like a ships hull) thatall support the framework attaching to a yoke assembly. The float 26 mayalso have some mechanism to sink or detach the float 26 in the event ofdangerous water body conditions (such as a tsunami). For example, floodhatches and/or explosive bolt mechanisms can allow the water in so thatthe float sinks to the bottom for safe redeployment later. In oneimplementation, the float 26 may be approximately 60′ in diameter (anestimated largest size that will allow full travel within wave action)with a hole in the middle of perhaps 20′ or so (engineered forclearance) and a height of perhaps 20′. However, the wave energy deviceis not limited to any particular size and shape and the size and shapemay be adjusted to lift the mass and articulate it within the waveaction with the most vertical travel possible and to survive in thewater body environment.

The wave energy device may then have an energy storage device (notshown) to store the generated energy for some period of time or may havea mechanism (not shown) for transferring the generated energy to anotherlocation. The energy generators 30 may generate electrical energy,kinetic energy, rotational energy or any other type of energy and may bea device that converts the energy from the float into a storable ortransferable energy form. The wave energy device may also include awindmill located at the top of the piling to generate additional energy,a known tidal wave generator at the bottom of the piling to generateadditional energy or a field and magnetic coil at the center of thepiling that may generate energy as the float structure moves up and downthe piling during the wave movements.

FIG. 2 illustrates a wave energy system having one or more of the waveenergy devices 20 shown in FIG. 1. The wave energy system may be anenergy generation system that combines one or more of the wave energydevices 20 together that together generate an amount of energy similarto a power plant or a wind farm with a plurality of windmills. The waveenergy system may be a plurality of wave energy devices located within aparticular geographic area/region or can be the plurality of wave energydevices at different geographic areas that are linked together.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method 40 for generating energy from wave motionusing the wave energy device. To generate energy, the wave energy devicefloat moves up the piling as a wave crest passes by the piling (42) togenerate potential energy and then drops down the piling during the wavetrough (44) to generate kinetic energy that is then translated intoelectrical energy or some other form for energy. The process shown inFIG. 3 repeats itself for each wave crest and wave trough that passesthe piling and amount of generated energy depends on the difference inheight between the wave crest and the wave trough. The total energygenerated by a wave energy system that has a plurality of wave energydevices is thus the energy generated by each wave energy device combinedtogether. Now, the wave energy device is described in more detail.

FIG. 4 illustrates an upper portion of the wave energy device 20 shownin FIG. 1 wherein a closer view of the drive structures 28, generators30 and coupling mechanism 32 are shown. The generators 30 may be one ormore platforms 50 that are secured to the top of the piling. The waveenergy device is not limited to any particular number of platformsand/or number of generators. In one embodiment, the platforms arecircular and encircle a circular piling so that there may four or six ormore generators 30 on each platform wherein each generator is coupled tothe drive structures 28. As shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,each drive structure 28 may be coupled to a generator 30 on eachplatform 50 to generate a maximum amount of energy from each drivestructure. However, the wave energy device may also have each drivestructure 28 coupled to a single generator 30.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the wave energy device 20 shown in FIG.1 wherein the piling 22 has a circular cross-section, the platform 50surrounds the piling 22 so that each of the one or more platforms has 8generators 30 and there are eight drive structures 28 that are coupledto each generator 30 as shown.

FIG. 6 illustrates more details of the float portion 26 of the waveenergy device 20 shown in FIG. 1. The float may have one or more buoyantportions 60, such as first buoyant portion 60 ₁ and a second buoyantportion 60 ₂ located on opposite sides of the piling 22 as shown, thathave sufficient buoyancy to cause the float 26 of the wave energy device20 to float up the piling during a wave crest. Each buoyant portion maybe made of a composite material that is light, but strong (such asfiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.) In one implementation, the float portion26 may be 60 feet in diameter with a 20 foot hole in the center and maybe approximately 30-40 feet tall. The one or more buoyant portions 60will have an amount of buoyancy that allows the wave energy device 20 tooperate in its intended manner.

The float 26 may further include a mass 62 that, when a wave troughoccurs, causes the float to drop down the piling and generate a linearmovement of the drive structures 28. The mass 62 may be at least 50,000lbs, but may also be one or more tons and the weight is based in part ofthe buoyancy of the of the float portion 26. The total weight of themass 62 directly affects the energy output of the device since thelargest weight of the mass 62 that travel over the greatest distanceresults in the most power output of the wave energy device. The mass 62is a weight that rides smoothly up and down the piling 22. The float 26attached to the mass component 62 lifts up the weight when a wave passesby the wave energy device 20 providing the upward motion. The force ofthe mass dropping (when the wave travels past the device) by its ownweight and with gravity acting on it is the power element of the device.The shape of the mass if mounted in the water should be hydrodynamic.The mass may be fabricated of a casing that has been filled with scrapmetal encapsulated to secure the scrap metal its structural mountingpoints. The mass 62 may include roller bearings that provide clearancefor the mass to travel up and down the piling 22. The mounting point ofthe mass 62 can be attaching the mass to the power collar 66 or the mass62, in another configuration, can be attached to an articulating yoke64.

The float 26 may further include an articulating drive yoke 64 thatpermit the buoyant portions 60 to move horizontally relative to thepiling and the mass. This allow the float 26, when a wave crest isapproaching the wave energy device (as shown in FIG. 7), to have thefirst buoyant portion 60 ₁ at a higher vertical position than the secondbuoyant portion 60 ₂ so that the float “follows” the wave shape and thenallows the float 26, when the wave trough is approaching the wave energydevice (as shown in FIG. 8), to have the first buoyant portion 60 ₁ at alower vertical position than the second buoyant portion 60 ₂ so that thefloat again “follows” the wave shape. In one embodiment, thearticulating drive yoke 64 may have a first yoke element 64 ₁ connectedto the first and second buoyant portions 60 _(k), 60 ₂ and a second yokeelement 64 ₂ that is connected the float 26 wherein the first and secondyoke elements 64 ₁, 64 ₂ are connected to each other at setoff points bya swivel joint 65 so that the buoyant portions 60 ₁, 60 ₂ can moverelative to the float 26 and the entire float can move rotationallyrelative to the piling 22. The yoke elements transfer the lifting actionof the float 26 to the collar 67 to lift the mass 62 on the upstroke. Inmore detail, the yoke elements allow for random lateral sea movements ofthe float 26 to be cancelled out thus directing all the wave movement upand down but still permitting rotational movement of the articulatingyoke. In yet another embodiment, the articulating yoke may also includea mechanism to eliminate rotational movement of the float relative tothe piling.

In one embodiment, the first and second yoke portions 64 ₁, 64 ₂ (andone or more additional yoke portions) may be circular rings thatencircle the piling. The smaller diameter ring may be designed to clearthe power collar 67 in extreme seas should the float 26 overextend thedesigned lateral movements of the wave energy device 20. In someembodiment, the wave energy device 20 may have a mechanism that canflood the float 26 (automatic float flooding and/or explosive bolts) andsink the float to prevent damage to the wave energy device. In otherembodiments, the articulating yoke may have three or more yoke ringswhich result in a smoother operation, but results in more structuralfailure points.

The float 26 may further comprise a power collar with first and secondelement 66 ₁, 66 ₂ that connect the mass 62 to the float and further tothe drive structures 28 so that the downward movement of the mass causesthe drive structures 28 to move vertically downwards which is thenconverted into energy. In one embodiment, the second yoke ring 64 ₂ isattached to the power collar 66 that is a tube. The power collar, in oneimplementation may be a tube about 7′ 4″ in diameter with approximately5″ thick sidewalls. The power collar slides up and down on the piling 22with bearing force (for clearance) applied to the piling. The particularlength of the power collar 66 may be determined by the spacing of theyoke 64 and float 26 so if there is a critical contact made by extremelateral forces (float tips beyond perimeters), the contact will be withthe power collar 66 (that has bearings) and not the piling. A keyway inthe piling clears the power collar and a lower Drive Plate 68 butengages the upper drive plate 72 to stop the rotational forces of thefloat from being transferred to the drive structures.

The float may further comprise a rotating drive plate 67 that transfersthe vertical movement of the mass to the drive structures 28 andprovides an interface to isolate the drive structures 28 from therotational movement of the float 26. In one embodiment, the rotatingdrive plate 67 may have a first drive plate structure 68 that isconnected to the first and second elements 66 ₁, 66 ₂ and an interfacelayer 70 that allows the first drive plate structure 68 to rotaterelative to a second drive plate structure 72 while transferring thevertical movement of the mass 62 to the drive structures 28 through adrive plate 74 that sits on top of the second drive plate structure 72.

The interface layer 70 may be a steel such as “Corten Steel” that issomewhat non-corrosive and economical. However, the interface layer 70may also be stainless steel. If a six foot diameter piling is used, theinterface layer 70 may have approximately a 6′6″ inside diameter, a 7′6″outside diameter and a 4″ thickness for each part. The drive plate 74 isa rotational thrust bearing plate that engages a keyway (shown in moredetail in FIG. 7 which is described below) which removes rotationalforces on the thrust plate 67 allowing the lower plate 68 (that clearsthe keyway) to revolve while the upper plate 72 does not rotate so thatthe forces of the waves are now only vertical and linear. In oneembodiment, the drive structures 28 move vertically only and these partsare long enough to compensate for tidal variations. Thus, at low tides,the drive structures 28 drive the generators 30 at the end of theirlength and, at high tides, the drive structures 28 drive the generators30 further towards the power collar. Thus, by the length of the drivestructure 28, the drive structures 28 automatically adjust out tidalvariances at the point of power transfer.

FIG. 7 illustrates more details of the power collar and keyrace of thewave energy device shown in FIG. 1. The piling 22 is surrounded by thepower collar 66, the first drive plate structure 68 and the second driveplate structure 72 wherein the second drive plate structure 72 has thedrive structures 28 attached to it. The wave energy device, in thisembodiment, may also have a keyrace 73 and a bearing 74 that permit thefirst drive plate structure 68 to rotate while the second drive platestructure 72 does not rotate so that the forces of the waves transmittedinto the drive structures 28 are now only vertical and linear. In oneembodiment, the first drive plate structure 68 attaches to an outer raceof the bearing 74, but can rotate relative to the keyrace 73 so that itcan rotate freely with the float 26. The second drive plate structure 72attaches to an inner race of the bearing 74 but can only move verticallyalong the keyrace 73 to thereby remove the rotational motion.

FIG. 8 illustrates more details of the float 26 of the wave energydevice shown in FIG. 1. The float may include an internal bulkhead 75 ateach end of the float (that provides floatation) and a support shaft 76that couples the internal bulkhead to the yokes 64 ₁, 64 ₂ of the float.In one embodiment, the internal bulkheads may be made of aplywood/fiberglass laminate and the support shaft may be made of astrong material such as steel or other strong metals and may be forexample a steel tube with bearings.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the wave energy device shown in FIG. 1.The wave energy device, in this embodiment, is concentric with thepiling 22, but may also be non-concentric. The power collar 66 slides upand down the piling 22 and has the yokes 64 ₁, 64 ₂ attached thereto bythe swivel joints 65. The swivel joints 65 also connect the float 26 tothe yokes 64 ₁, 64 ₂ via the support shafts 76 of the float. Now, anexample of the upstroke and downstroke of the wave energy device isdescribed in more detail.

FIG. 10 illustrates the wave energy device 20 during a wave crest 80relative to a water body floor 82 corresponding to an upstroke of thewave energy device. As shown, when the float 26 of the wave energydevice 20 is moving up to the top of the wave crest (83), the firstbuoyant portion 60 ₁ is at a higher vertical position than the secondbuoyant portion 60 ₂ so that the float “follows” the wave shape andthere is not any undue stress of the float or the wave energy device dueto the shape of the wave. During the upstroke as shown in FIG. 7, sincethe float 26 is moving upwards on the piling 22 due to the wave crest,the wave energy device is storing potential energy in the wave energydevice which is then released during the downstroke.

FIG. 11 illustrates the wave energy device during a wave trough 84relative to the water body floor 82 corresponding to a downstroke of thewave energy device. The wave energy device 20, during the downstroke,moves down (84) the piling 22 due to the weight of the mass 62 as shownand the first buoyant portion 60 ₁ is at a lower vertical position thanthe second buoyant portion 60 ₂ so that the float again “follows” thewave shape.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are a side cut-away view and a top view, respectively,of another embodiment of a float 26 that can be used with the waveenergy device. The wave energy device operates in the same manner asdescribed above when using these alternative embodiments of the float.Similar to the other embodiment, the float 26 has the first and secondbuoyant portions 60 ₁, 60 ₂ which are attached to the power collar 66that encircles the piling 22. In this embodiment, the float also has oneor more float rotational housings 100 (such as rotational housings 100 ₁and 100 ₂ as shown in FIG. 12A) and the support shaft 76 for eachbuoyant portions 60 _(k), 60 ₂. In this embodiment, the float also hasone or more swivel pins 102 (such as 102 ₁ and 102 ₂ as shown in FIG.12A) and one or more lateral support brackets 104 (such as 104 ₁ and 104₂ as shown in FIG. 12A). Each rotational housing 100 is mounted insidethe float and attached to bulkheads of a tubing that houses the supportshaft 76 and the rotational housing allows the support shaft 76 torotate inside its housing 100 so that the float can tip somewhat withoutseizing up the movement of the power collar on the piling and thusprovides the float with an additional degree of freedom of motion. Thesupport shaft 76, as with other embodiments, connects the power collar66 to the float 26 by the one or more lateral support brackets 104. Thelateral support brackets 104 allow for movements canceling out thetipping action of the float 26 while still transferring the rise & dropaction to the power collar that can be used to generate the energy asdescribed above. The swivel pins 102 retain the support shaft 76 inplace on the lateral support bracket 104, but allow the support shaft 76to rotate. In this embodiment, the yokes 64 described above are replacedby the one or more float rotational housings 100, the one or more swivelpins 102 and the one or more lateral support brackets 104. As a result,the float 26 is suspended by four points which reduces the structuralstresses on the float.

FIG. 12C is an enlarged side view and top view superimposed on eachother of another embodiment of a float 26 that can be used with the waveenergy device. Like elements have like reference numerals and have thesame structure, materials and operation as described above. As shown inFIG. 12C, the float may further comprises a retainer 106 at each end ofthe float rotational housings 100 that keep the float rotationalhousings on the support shaft 76. As shown in the side view, the swivelpin 102 and lateral support bracket 104 allow the float to move up downrelative to the power collar and piling so that the float can tipsomewhat without seizing up the movement of the power collar on thepiling.

As an alternative to the float embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B,the float may also be constructed with a sheet or material, such asrubber, between the float 26 and the power collar 66 that isolates thefloat from the power collar. In addition, another alternative is toconnect the mass between the float and power collar on a spring whichwould also isolate the float and the power collar.

While the foregoing has been with reference to a particular embodimentof the invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat changes in this embodiment may be made without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined bythe appended claims.

1. A wave energy device, comprising: a piling; a float that movesvertically on the piling and is capable of generating an amount ofpotential energy; at least one drive structure that transfers a movementof the float to at least one generator that is capable of generatingenergy based on the vertical movement of the float; and the floatfurther comprises a mass that stores potential energy during an upstrokeof the float and generates kinetic energy during the downstroke of thefloat that is transferred to the at least one drive structure and one ormore buoyant elements that allow the float with the mass to float on awave crest.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the float furthercomprises a torus that encircles the piling.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the piling further comprises a leading edge that is capable ofallowing the piling to be secured into a floor of a water body.
 4. Thedevice of claim 3, wherein the leading edge further comprises one of aflute and a set of teeth.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the floatfurther comprises a power collar that connects the mass to the float andtransfers the movement of the mass to the float and wherein the devicefurther comprises a drive plate that couples the float to the at leastone drive structure and is capable of isolating any non-verticalmovement of the float from the at least one drive structure and whereinthe drive plate further comprises a lower drive plate connected to thepower collar that is capable of rotational motion when the float hasrotational motion, an upper drive plate connected to the at least onedrive structure and an interface layer between the lower drive plate andthe upper drive plate wherein the rotational motion of the float and thelower drive plate are isolated from the upper drive plate and the atleast one drive structure.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the pilinghas a keyway that engages the upper drive plate to prevent rotationalmotion of the upper drive plate and the at least one drive structure. 7.The device of claim 1, wherein the float further comprises a powercollar that connects the mass to the float and transfers the movement ofthe mass to the float, one or more support shafts that couple the floatto the power collar and a rotational housing on each support shaft thatpermits the float to rotate about the support shaft and one or morelateral support brackets and one or more swivel pins that connect thesupport shaft to the power collar and cancel out a rotation of thefloat.
 8. An energy system, comprising: one or more wave energy devices,wherein each wave energy device further comprises a piling, a float thatmoves vertically on the piling and is capable of generating an amount ofpotential energy, at least one drive structure that transfers a movementof the float to at least one generator that is capable of generatingenergy based on the vertical movement of the float, and the floatfurther comprises a mass that stores potential energy during an upstrokeof the float and generates kinetic energy during the downstroke of thefloat that is transferred to the at least one drive structure and one ormore buoyant elements that allow the float with the mass to float on awave crest; and one or more generators associated with each wave energydevice that generate energy based on the downward movement of each waveenergy device.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the float furthercomprises a torus that encircles the piling.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein the piling further comprises a leading edge that is capable ofallowing the piling to be secured into a floor of a water body.
 11. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein each float further comprises a power collarthat connects the mass to the float and transfers the movement of themass to the float and wherein the device further comprises a drive platethat couples the float to the at least one drive structure and iscapable of isolating any non-vertical movement of the float from the atleast one drive structure and wherein the drive plate further comprisesa lower drive plate connected to the power collar that is capable ofrotational motion when the float has rotational motion, an upper driveplate connected to the at least one drive structure and an interfacelayer between the lower drive plate and the upper drive plate whereinthe rotational motion of the float and the lower drive plate areisolated from the upper drive plate and the at least one drivestructure.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the piling has a keywaythat engages the upper drive plate to prevent rotational motion of theupper drive plate and the at least one drive structure.
 13. The systemof claim 8, wherein the float further comprises a power collar thatconnects the mass to the float and transfers the movement of the mass tothe float, one or more support shafts that couple the float to the powercollar and a rotational housing on each support shaft that permits thefloat to rotate about the support shaft and one or more lateral supportbrackets and one or more swivel pins that connect the support shaft tothe power collar and cancel out a rotation of the float.
 14. A methodfor generating energy from wave motion, comprising: providing a waveenergy device having a piling inserted into a floor of a water body, afloat that moves vertically relative to the piling, a drive structure totransfer a movement of the wave energy device to a generator thatgenerates energy, wherein the float has a buoyant portion and a mass;floating, as a wave crest in the water body approaches the wave energydevice, the wave energy device on top of the wave crest to storepotential energy in the wave energy device; moving, as a wave trough inthe water body approaches the wave energy device, the wave energy devicewith the mass downwards; and generating energy at the generator based onthe downward movement of the wave energy device.
 15. The method of claim14 further comprising transferring, using a set of drive structures anda rotating drive plate, the downward movement of the wave energy deviceto the generator.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprisingisolating a rotational movement of the float from the drive structuresusing the rotating drive plate.
 17. A float structure for a wave energydevice, the float structure comprising: a float that is capable ofmoving vertically on a piling and is capable of generating an amount ofpotential energy; and the float further comprises a mass that storespotential energy during an upstroke of the float and generates kineticenergy during the downstroke of the float that is transferred to a drivestructure, one or more buoyant elements that allow the float with themass to float on a wave crest, a power collar that connects the mass tothe float and transfers the movement of the mass to the float and adrive plate that couples the float to a drive structure and is capableof isolating any non-vertical movement of the float from the drivestructure.
 18. The float structure of claim 17, wherein the floatfurther comprises a torus that encircles a piling of a wave energydevice.
 19. The float structure of claim 17 further comprising a powercollar that connects the mass to the float and transfers the movement ofthe mass to the float and wherein the device further comprises a driveplate that couples the float to the at least one drive structure and iscapable of isolating any non-vertical movement of the float from the atleast one drive structure and wherein the drive plate further comprisesa lower drive plate connected to the power collar that is capable ofrotational motion when the float has rotational motion, an upper driveplate connected to the at least one drive structure and an interfacelayer between the lower drive plate and the upper drive plate whereinthe rotational motion of the float and the lower drive plate areisolated from the upper drive plate and the at least one drivestructure.
 20. The float structure of claim 19, wherein the piling has akeyway that engages the upper drive plate to prevent rotational motionof the upper drive plate and the at least one drive structure.
 21. Thefloat structure of claim 17 further comprising a power collar thatconnects the mass to the float and transfers the movement of the mass tothe float, one or more support shafts that couple the float to the powercollar and a rotational housing on each support shaft that permits thefloat to rotate about the support shaft and one or more lateral supportbrackets and one or more swivel pins that connect the support shaft tothe power collar and cancel out a rotation of the float.
 22. A waveenergy device, comprising: a piling; a float that moves vertically onthe piling and is capable of generating an amount of potential energy;at least one drive structure that transfers a movement of the float toat least one generator that is capable of generating energy based on thevertical movement of the float; and the float further comprises a massthat stores potential energy during an upstroke of the float andgenerates kinetic energy during the downstroke of the float that istransferred to the at least one drive structure, one or more buoyantelements that allow the float with the mass to float on a wave crest, apower collar that connects the mass to the float and transfers themovement of the mass to the float, one or more support shafts thatcouple the float to the power collar and a rotational housing on eachsupport shaft that permits the float to rotate about the support shaftand one or more lateral support brackets and one or more swivel pinsthat connect the support shaft to the power collar and cancel out arotation of the float.